Person
Every book Rolf Potts recommended on podcasts
Rolf Potts is an author and travel writer who appeared on The Tim Ferriss Show to discuss immersive travel, pilgrimages, and his book The Vagabond's Way. During the episode, Potts mentioned several books that inspired his writing and philosophy on life. He recommended Richard Rohr's Falling Upward, noting that its subtitle serves as wisdom for the second half of life. Discussing inspirations for his own work, Potts pointed to Ross Gay's The Book of Delights as part of the model for his travel writing. When exploring the themes of travel, journeys, and labor, he brought up George Orwell's essay and book The Road to Wigan Pier. Potts also highlighted Kevin Kelly's multi-year photography project and book Vanishing Asia, praising the scale of the thirty-year endeavor. Additionally, he discussed Oliver Burkeman's 4K Weeks when touching upon philosophies of time and human limitation. Throughout the interview, Potts used these recommendations to illustrate his thoughts on mindful travel, personal growth, artistic dedication, and how individuals can find deeper meaning through movement, observation, and deliberate pacing in their daily lives and journeys across the world.
Books recommended by Rolf Potts
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Falling Upward
Falling Upward by Richard Rohr is a spiritual guidebook that explores the transition from the first half of life to the second, framing aging and crisis as opportunities for spiritual growth.
Recommended“he has a book called Falling upward which I think the subtitle might be wisdom for the second half of life”
Where to get it
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Four Thousand Weeks
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman is an insightful time-management book that confronts the finite nature of human life and challenges modern productivity obsessions.
Discussed“is it Oliver burkman 890.3 I think I think you quoted other people 4,000 weeks 895.4 I think 4,000 weeks”
Where to get it
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The Book of Delights
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay is a collection of lyrical essays wherein the author commits to recording daily observations of beauty and wonder over the course of a challenging year.
Discussed“I know he wrote a book called The Book of delights and it and these other readings are sort of part of the model for my new book the Vagabonds way”
Where to get it
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The Road to Wigan Pier
The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell is a classic work of investigative journalism and social commentary documenting the grueling living conditions of working-class coal miners in northern England during the 1930s.
Discussed“actually George Orwell talked about this in an essay called the road to Wigan Pier”
Where to get it
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Vanishing Asia : Three Volume Set
Vanishing Asia : Three Volume Set by Kevin Kelly is an expansive, beautifully curated photography collection that chronicles disappearing cultures across the Asian continent through decades of fieldwork.
Discussed“Vanishing Asia 1117.0 Vanishing Asia 30y year plus project”
Where to get it
Books Rolf Potts wrote
Appearances
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“I know he wrote a book called The Book of delights and it and these other readings are sort of part of the model for my new book the Vagabonds way”